LAGOS Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has condemned indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Ikorodu – West just as it urged the council to set up a waste policing outfit.
LAWMA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, admonished residents to curb reckless waste disposal practices in the community.
Odumboni made the call while addressing market officials, representatives of CDAs/CDCs and others at the second stakeholders’ meeting organised for Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas across the State on clean and sustainable environment, held at Ikorodu-West Local Council Development Area, Owutu.
The LAWMA boss noted that a waste policing outfit would create jobs for the youths and check unhygienic habits that deface the environment, adding that LAWMA is ready to offer all needed assistance in the area of training.
According to him, “You need to empower the youths in Ikorodu- West LCDA and create jobs for them through waste policing. You have the constitutional backing, use your bylaws to establish what will be beneficial to your community. LAWMA is ready to train those youths so that they will go into the communities in uniforms to apprehend violators to serve as a deterrent to others”.
“Let those youths work together with the Council’s health officers to enforce the environmental laws of the State. Most residents have taken refuse burning as a routine, they go as far as burning waste in front of their homes. Let your youths police such areas, arrest the defaulters and make them face the music. Epe Local Government and Ibeju-Lekki LCDA have employed over 70 youths to achieve a healthier environment. It has worked for them. You can also emulate such effective strategy”, Odumboni said.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, represented by the Council’s Deputy Leader, Mr. Batife Daisi, commended LAWMA for its determined effort at transforming the Ikorodu landscape and firmly establishing environmental sustainability.
The Chief Imam of Ikorodu West, Sheikh Mushafau Kosoko, represented by Imam Alaliqurani Jolayemi, charged LAWMA to tackle the environmental nuisance constituted by different stakeholders at various bus stops and garages in the town.
Also speaking, the Majority Leader; Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, represented by Hon. Temitope Ogunde, assured that necessary legislative requirements would be put in place to reposition waste management in the area, urging residents to cooperate with environmental health officers in their domains to ensure hygienic surroundings.
The Council Head of Food Stuff Association, Chief (Mrs.) Felicia Ojo and the Chairman of Ikorodu-West Butchers Association, Mr. Akeem Adewole, both commended LAWMA for mobilising the various stakeholders towards achieving a cleaner Lagos environment.
The highlight of the programme was a brief presentation on LAWMA’s latest project, “Adopt-a-Bin”, which involves the purchase of two waste bins for separate containerising of organic waste and recyclable items, as well as for easy storage and collection of waste.
Responding to a question, LAWMA’s Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Olorunwa Tijani, enjoined residents to always containerise their waste, patronise assigned PSP operators and pay their waste bill promptly.
Also in attendance at the meeting were the Executive Director, Finance (LAWMA), Mr. Kunle Adebiyi; AGM Performance Management (LAWMA), Mrs. Tawa Oyekanmi; AGM North-East (LAWMA), Mrs. Bola Adewunmi; AGM East (LAWMA), Mr. Wale Adeshina and Director, Public Affairs (LAWMA), Mrs. Folashade Kadiri among others.
